Damn, what a week. I have started to try to post a few times; but would inevitably be out of electricity, service, or time alone. And I am certainly not complaining.
After Mark the Van got its brakes done(thank goodness), I shook off the guilt I felt over not doing the work myself and headed into Portland. Far, far too early to pick up my friend from the airport. Like, 24 hours too early. I climbed out of the giant steel box on wheels that I call home and went to the closest skatepark. After abusing my body a little bit, I went to Powell’s World of Books(as I seem to always do when I’m in town) and bought a new book. I picked it due to its familiar setting; and I actually had to stop reading it because the setting became a little too familiar. But, more on that when I finish it and write a review.
The next day, I had about 12 hours to kill before Dennis’ flight got in. My friend’s name is not Dennis; but that’s what he will be known in this post to respect his desire to remain anonymous. I had planned to spend the day exploring Portland; but after an instinct camera shop stop took me across the bridge to Vancouver, WA; well, the day took another turn. All of a sudden I found myself in a town I had never heard of before; skating a park strictly due to the pictures I saw online. It was well worth it :)
As the day progressed, however, the weather became somewhat of an adversary. The sun started hitting hard, and it was MUCH more humid over here than what I have been used to up by the volcano. So, much to the surprise of myself, I started looking for water.
I historically do not swim. I almost drowned as a child, twice, and am generally terrified of the ocean; but that’s another subject. Anyways, as I get older, I’m trying to make swimming more of a “thing” for myself. It is nice; I can’t deny that. I kind of made a big deal of not swimming in my teenage years because it’s all anyone ever seemed to want to do; and I didn’t. So, in other words, I was petty 😂
But, swimming didn’t happen. I found this random park on Vancouver Lake and just went for it. Not my typical M.O.- I usually prefer more secluded spots and flowing water. But I was on a time limit, and didn’t know the area well. And, what do you know, the water was pretty gross. Like, just enough so that I didn’t want to really get much of my body in. So I just kinda kicked around and started heading closer to the airport. I met a friend at the skatepark near his house in Portland, and waited there to get the call that Dennis had landed.
After picking my friend up(FUCK airport traffic), the week became kind of a blur. He had come out to check out the fires and potentially ski. We couldn’t get to the fires, and there was so little snow left up on the volcano that he didn’t even end up bringing his mountain gear. So, I did my best to entertain him while he was here. And we had a lot of fun.
First and foremost- Dennis isn’t exactly a fan of people. Or civilization. Or phone reception. (I’m kidding, but only halfway). We are pretty much exactly the opposite types, in many ways, but those specifically. So, I let him choose the camping spot, and of course it was in the woods and out of reception. So, I had to change my routine that I’ve developed since I “moved” to the area. And there was no problem. I just have forgotten how to go to sleep in silence.
I unfortunately was able to take work off for a good chunk of his week here, but I did get a decent amount of days off. It was a constant ping pong of trying to enjoy as much time with my friend as possible and slip in and out of work as quickly and as little as possible. Dennis would drive Mark while I was at work, and, judging by the odometer; I think he had fun :)
A lot of the week was driving. And hiking. Exploring random spots and just generally killing time. Which is kind of the way of life around here. We scoured the local mountains for current and forgotten snowmaking systems. We popped our head into old-to-us and new-to-us campsites. We went to a Bigfoot museum. We played ping pong and ate Cajun fries. We fed some cows some apples and got stuck in a ditch. I mean, it was all kind of a blur, but it was SUPER fun. Oh, and when I say we got the van stuck I mean we got it STUCK 😂 A couple of fun hours of hammering boards under tires and digging with a hatchet she busted free.
It was an amazing week. But man, I am TIRED. I dropped him off at the airport yesterday, and had to immediately go work in the kitchen. I was sluggish as all hell, and my coworkers definitely noticed. I ran into another friend after my shift and had to help him out with his truck- at midnight. Then awake again 5 hours later to start a long work week. SO worth it, though. In case you think I am complaining.
I’m writing this in the laundromat(thank god because it has been overdue), able to use my phone and think for the first time in what feels like a month; even though it’s probably under half that. Once my clothes are clean, my dishes are done, and my fridge in emptied, I’m looking forward to catching up with life here and elsewhere :) Much love, friends
